Dry-bulb temperature

Definition

The ordinary temperature of the air, indicating how hot the air is, in contrast to its evaporative cooling potential.

Dry-bulb tells how hot the air is, while wet-bulb tells how much evaporative cooling potential remains. The gap between the two widens as humidity falls. At 100 percent relative humidity the dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures are equal.

Related concepts

Approach (cooling tower) · Wet-bulb temperature · Relative humidity limit on evaporation

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 📏 measurement